Gunn City Missouri

Obtained from the Bates & Cass County History Book 1883

Gunn City has already passed into fame as one of the historic towns of Missouri, as the theatre of one of the most bloody tragedies that has been recorded in western annals. It is located twelve miles east of Harrisonville, on the Arizona Division of the Missouri Pacific Railroad, and contains about 175 people. The location is a good one, on the prairie, and in the midst of a fine farming country. The town was laid out May 9, 1872 by Levens and Bunce.

THE BLOODY BONDS

The "Bloody Bonds" so called, because they gave rise to the Gunn City tragedy. In the tragedy J. C. Stephenson, chairman of the county court; J. P. Cline, attorney for the Railroad Company and T. E. Dutroe were killed by a body of fifty men. They stopped the eastbound train on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad, at Gunn City on the evening of 24 April 1872. When the train stopped Cline drew a revolver and fired several shots into the crowd, wounding two men. Then jumping from the cars, he attempted to escape but fell. Three bullets pierced him, one passing through the head. Stephenson was killed in the baggage car. A shot severed both jugular veins and a blow from some sharp instrument split his skull nearly to the eyebrow. He died immediately. Dutroe was shot in the back of the head, the ball lodging over the left eye. He died in about four hours.

The order issuing the "Bloody Bonds" was made on the first day of March, 1872, contrary to the will of the people. Respectful petition, remonstrance and injunction were treated with contempt by the court. When forbearance had ceased to be a virtue, the blood of these men was shed to avenge the wrongs of an oppressed people. This showed the fearful consequences of persistent oppression until men are driven to desperation.

Modified: 04/17/06